Onion chopper



Dec. 13, 1938. c, l.. HANEL 2,140,010

ONION CHOPPER Filed March 10, 193s 2 sheets-:sheetl 1 BY @MPM ATTORNEY.

Dec. 13, 1938.

oNIoN cHoPPER v 'Filed March 10,' 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 /z l INVENTOR.

a 1 BY CHARLES L owl@ 'HQNEL ATTORNEY.

c. 1 HANEL I 2,140,010

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 PATENT OFFICE ONION CHOPPER Charles Ludwig Hanel,

Application March 10,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful irnprovements in an onion chopper. 0

More specifically, the invention relates to a chopper which may be used for chopping onions and which is capable of chopping many other foods or materials.

Still furthe-r it is proposed to characterize the onion chopper by a body for engaging over an onion or other mate-rial, and to provide a stem yfvertieally sldably mounted therethrough, and to mount upon its inner end of the stem a chopper blade for chopping the onion or other material whenthe stem is moved downwards.

'The dominating object of this invention is to 'provide a means for slightly rotating said stem when the stem moves upwards, but said means to be capable of permitting the stem to move downwards without any rotation when pressed manually in that direction.

Still further it is proposed to characterize the said means' by an element which encircles said stem intermediate of its ends and which is turnably supported within a portion of the body and which is adapted to resist turning in one direction, namely, when the stem is moved upwards, and to indirectly control turning of the stem during its upward motion.

Another object of this invention is to form cooperative heliX elements upon said element and said stem for causing the element to turn when the stem moves in the other direction, that is, when it moves downwards so that the stern does not then turn.

Another object of this invention is' to form the extended end of the stern with a friction head which is adapted to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed for holding the ste-m from turning and so cause the element toturn so that the chopper blade will move straight downwards within said body.

Another object of the invention isv the construction of a device as described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the Various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:-

Fig. l is a front elevational View, partly in section, of an onion chopper lconstructed according to this invention.

Jackson Heights, N. Y.

1938, Serial No. 195,112

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1..

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the element per se.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view 0f the stem per se. 5

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating a rmodification of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 6a is a view taken on the line Ba-Ba oi 10 Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the stem used in conjunction with the modification shown in Fig. '5.

Fig. s is a view simnar to Fig. 1 but iuustrating 15 a still further modification of the invention.

Fig. 9 isa sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional View on the line of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a sectional View illustrating another modification of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a View looking in the direction of the line lI 2--12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional 'view on the 25 line I3-I3 of Fig. l2.

Fig. 14'is a View lsimilar to Fig. 11 but illustrating another modification of the invention.

Fig. l5 is a sectional View on the line I5-'I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 8 but illustrating another modification of the invention.

The onion chopper includes a body I0 for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped. A stem I I is slidably mounted through the body I0. A chopper blade I2 is mounted on the bottom end of the stem Il for cutting the onion when the stem is moved downwards. Means is provided for urging the stem into a raised position. An element I3 encircles the stem 40 I-I and is turnably supported in the body I0 and is adapted to resist turning in one direction, under certain conditions, as will hereinafter be explained. Cooperative helix element are formed on the element I3 and the stem II and cause the 45 element I3 to turn in the other direction when the stern is moved downwards, as hereinafter more fully described. A friction head I4 is mounted on the stem I I and engages ones hand when the stem l I is manually depressed with the palm to hold the stem Il from turning, and so cause the element I 3 to turn, as will become clear.

The body I includes a tubular glass member or `similar article Illa' which has both of its ends open and which has one of its ends closed by a III-I0 cap element IOb. The cap element IUb is substantially frusto-conical in shape and is formed at its enlarged end with a downwardly extending flange I5 which encircles one of the ends of the tubular member Ia for closing this end. A plate I6 is mounted across the enlarged end of the conical shaped cap element Ib and is fixedlyV secured thereto byrrivets Il and is adapted to rest on the edges of the glass member Illa. 'I'he upper end cf the conical cap Ib is open and has its edges Hibb bent inwards. The plate I6 is formed with an opening Ia which is directly below the open top end of the conical cap IUb.

The stem II engages through the open end of the conical cap Il'ib and the opening Iliar and is formed at its bottom end with an inwardly extending slot I Ia. The chopper blade I2 has its rear edge inserted into the slot IIa and is pivotally supported thereon by means of a rivet I8 engaging through these parts. This rivet pivotally supports the chopper blade in such a manner that it will be capable of properly aligning itself with the surface against which it engages when the stem II is depressed.

The means for urging the stem l I into its raised position comprises an expansion spring I9 which has one of its ends Isa engaging against the upper end of the conical shaped cap I 0b and the other of its ends ISbbearing against the friction Y head i4 for urging the stem II upwards. The

upper end Hb of the stem II is formed with a reduced shoulder and threaded portion 2li for an opening 2I formed in the friction head I4 for supporting this head upon the end of the shaft Ii. The friction head M is formed with a downwardly extending tubular member Ida which is adapted to encircle the top coils of the spring I9.

A sleeve 22 has an outwardly extending flange 23 by which it is securely attached to the top face of the plate I6 over the opening Ilia, and the stem II passes through this sleeve 22. The element I3 is rotatively supported within the sleeve 22 and is held in Vaxial position therein by means of collars 24 which are forced into the open ends of the sleeve 22. Rivets 25 engage through the adjacent portions of the flange 23 and the plate I6 for holding the sleeve in fixed positions.

One side of the elementV I3 is resilient and formed with a slit I3a and the material of the element I3 at one side of the slit is bent inwards to form a helical lip 25. This helical lip engages a complementary helical groove 21 formed along the length of the stem II. The helical lip 26 is formed in Ysuch. a manner that when the stem i! is urged downwards the element I3 is wound to tend to contract and the friction between the friction head I l and ones hand will prevent the stem i I from rotating while the element I3 turns. When the stem I I has been completely depressed and is again released the tension of the spring I9 will tend to move the stem. II upwards. As it Ydoes so the stem II will attempt to unwind the element i 3 causing its outer surface to become enlarged and frictionally grip thesleeve 22. Since the element I3 is contained within the sleeve 22 it is impossible 'for the element to be d being chopped so that when the stem II is again depressed it will be in a different position and chop the onion at a different position. As the stem II is depressed a number of times and released the position of the blade I2 will change each time. When the stem has been depressed a sumcieht number of times the onion or other material will be completely chopped.

VAccording to the modification of the invention shown in Figs. 5-7 inclusive the body 'I0 comprises a hollow tubular glass member 'Illa and a cap lbi. The sides of the hollow tubular glass member are formed with an outwardly extending bead l! which is adapted to be engaged by the bottom edge of a depending ange 'ibb formed on the outer periphery of the cap 10b. A stem 'I2 rotatively extends through an opening 'I3 formed at the center of the cap 10b and at its bottom end is formed with a slot 'I4 into which the top edge of a chopper blade 'I5 extends. A rivet 'IG extends through the end of the stem 'I2 and the chopper blade 'I5 for pivotally supporting this blade thereon so that it will be selfaligning with the surface against which it acts. The top edge of the chopper blade 'I5 is adapted to strike against a plate 'Il attached to the underside of the cap lIlb for limiting the outward movement of the stem '.12. The chopper blade 'i5 is limited in pivoting on the rivet 'I6 by having a slot 15a with the sides thereof enga-geable against the sides of the stem 12. The stem 'I2 extends upward through a sleeve lfmounted between the top face of the plate "10b and a U- shaped bracket 'I9. The bracket 'I9 has its ends 'ma securely attached to the tcp face of the cap 'Ich by means of rivets B0. These rivets 80 also support the plate 'I'I upon the bottom face of the cap lh. The intermediate portion 'I9b is formed with an opening 8l through which the stem 'I2 rotatively extends.

The upper end of the stem 'I2 is provided with a frictionhead 82 for engaging' ones palm and which is securely attached thereto by means of a rivet 83. This rivet engages through an opening 84 formed in the friction head 82 in such a manner as to prevent any rotative motion of the friction head on the end of the stern l2. An expansion spring 85 acts between the intermediate portion 19h of the U-shaped bracket 'i9 and the bottom face of the friction head 82 for urging the stern 'I2 into its raised position. v

The sides of the stem 'i2 are formed with flat helical shaped sides 86h and the sleeve 'I8 is formed with inwardly extending depressions '18a which are adapted to engage the flat helical sides 86h for controlling the rotation of the stem '12.V

A spring 86 vis wound upon the outer periphery of the sleeve 'i8 and has one of its ends 85a extending away from the sleeve i8. The end 86a is securely attached to the top face of the cap 'Mib by means of a rivet 39.

When the stem 'I2 is urged downward against the action of the expansion spring the friction between ones palm and the friction head 82 will act to retard the rotation of the stem 12. The fiat helical sides gdb' are formed on the sternV in such a manner that they will rotate the sleeve 'I8 in a direction in which it will tend to unwind the spring 86. will loosen the holding action of the spring 86 and permit the sleeve 'I8 to rotate. But when the stem has been fully depressed and is again released the spring 85 will tend to urge the stem 'I2 back to its normal position, and While it is moving back to this position, the flat helical sides 86h will attempt to rotate the sleeve in the oppo-V This unwinding action the .spring 8.6. This 'latter action :tends to .increase the rictionbetween'.the'coilsof the spring 86 fand the .sides of :the sleeve 1,8 in a manner to1limit the rotating .of the fsleeve 18. Since 'the frctionghead 82 .has :been released the .stem -112 will :be rfree to rotate, while 'the sleeve :18 4remains .-stationary, and so move .the .chopper .blade 'L5 Ato fa different :position awith .relation to the onion .for fmaterial :being chopped so that when the stem 12 is .again .depressed 'the chopper vblade T will act zupcn 1a rdiierent .portion of Athe onion.

:The bottom :endoi Ythe stem 12 'is vformed with beveled .sides '12ga and .12b which `are .adapted to enter @into ithefcut formed by the .blade '.15 in the onion -or other material for `acting as a wedge toassist the sblade Yin spreading the saidmaterial.

This construction which `has been dened in detail is `much 'more sanitary :than that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 4 in that the cap of the bcgdy Lis formed with .open sides `-to prevent water and waste materials from .collecting rtherein. vWith thisconstruction iitislpossibie to wash and easily dry .the food chopper after it has been used.

According -to the :modification shown in :Figs 8--1`0 inclusive a stem .3E is 'formed with fiat helical sides .-3I. .A cap .3.2 is :xedly attached to the top ace of :the `plate i6 :by means .of rivets 33 and forms va :space 3'4 :adjacent the top wall of the plate fi'. A disc 3.5 `is .mounted within the space 34 and has an opening .36 .having hat sides iawhich are adapted to cooperate with the flat helical sides 3l of the stem 3 0. The outer edges o'f .the ;disc :35 are `cut :away :at `points 31 as shown in Fig. '10. :Balls :38 are mounted within the cutaway :portions -31 iin such a manner `that when the :stem .30 is depressed the disc 35 will be capable Vof Vrotating Within the member 32 and roll ithe balls .around 'the linner :face thereof. But when vthe spring vI9 `.urges the stem 35 back to its :normal position after it has been released the disc ,-3.5 .will vtend to .be rotated in the other direction and 'the iballs 38 will be 4clamped :between ithe .narrow end of the :cutaway portion 31 and theinner wall of the cap l32 for holding the disc 35 against rotating to cause the stern 35 to rotate and change :the position of the vchopper blade vI2 with relation to the onion or material being chopped. 'The .upper'face of the :cap element 32 =is Yformed with Va vcircular opening l39 through which the stem 3,0 extends and which permits the .stem .30 to freely move therethrough without having 'any effect upon the 'rotation thereof.

According to Vthe modification shown in Figs. 1l-13 .the -disc :35' is mounted within an :annular member 4,0 which vhas an open top V40. This ring 4D is securely attached yto the top face rof the plate l5 by means of rivets 4I. A means is provided for holding the disc 35 against rotating when the stem 3B is moved upwards, for rotating the stem. This means comprises upwardly `extending leaf springs 42 -stamped from the disc 35' and beneath which balls 43 are engaged.

' When the `stem 3G is depressed the disc 35 will rotate therewith and urge the balls '43 into a position shown in Fig. 13 so that they will have no eiect thereon. But when the stem moves back to its normal position the balls 43 will Vbe moved towards the shallow connected end of the springs 42 and tend to urge the disc 35' upwards. When this disc 35 is moved upwards its outer edge of the top face will frictionally bear against a portion .of the annular ring 40 around the opening 40. The friction between these parts will prevent the Adisc 35 from rotating, .and s-o rotate thestem 30 to change the position of ithe 'chopper blade l2. `In other respects this Aform of 'the invention `is similar to that shown .in.fFi'gs. yi3-10.

According to the modification shown in Figs. 14.and 15, .a stem 50 isformed with at helical sides 5|. opening 52 'formed in the A'top Aof the .housing member. The housing member 53 is securely attached to the .plate IE by 'means Aof rivets 54. The portion of the stem 50 which is disposed within .the housing 53 has a disc member '55 mounted thereon. The `disc has an opening 55h formed with vat sides 55h13 cooperating with the helical sides 5l. This disc `55 is formed at its periphery with teeth 55a which are adapted to be engaged .by a `pawl .55. The vpawl A515 extends through aslot `51 formed in the side vwall of the fhousi-ng 53 and has its extended end 56a pivotally `supported upon .a `block 1.58 :attached .to the top iface of the plate i6.

A 'leaf spring 59 is .securely attached to vthe block 58 and engages ya yside `wall lof the pawl 55 for .urging vit 'into :a position in which Aits 'inner end will 4engage the `teeth 55a formed on 'the periphery of the disc 55. When the stem '5D .is depressed the friction between the friction head and .ones .hand will prevent the stem .from rotating and cause `the disc `55 to rotate therewith with the pawl 56 idling over the teeth 55a. When the stem 50 .has been completely depressed and is released the action of the Iexpansion spring will cause the stem 50 to move upwards .and the teeth 55a will engage fthe inner endof the .pawl 56. This pawl will .prevent .the disc 55 from rotating. As a result the stem 50 will ibe vrotated for changing the position of the .chopper blade .relative to the onion or other material being chopped.

.According'to the modification shown in Fig. 16, the top `face Lof the plate I6 is formed with an upwardly extending portion 8D which has .a flat top surface 6| against `which a .disc62 is `adapted to rest so that there is little friction between these parts. A stem 63 is slidably extended through the conical shaped .cap lb, and 'the disc 62 is formed with an opening 54 whichhas flat sides vadapted to .engage flat helical sides E5 formed lon the stem 63. The outer `periphery 82a of the disc 62 is adapted to frictionally bear against the inner surface of the conical :shaped cap ID so that there is a large amount offriction between these parts due to the great .contact area for limiting vthis disc against rotating when the stem 63 moves upwards for causing the stem to rotate and change the position of the chopper blade l2 with relation to the onion or other material being chopped.

While I have illustrated `and described my invention with some vdegree of particularity, I real` iZe that in practice various alterations therein may be made. I therefore reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the details of construction or otherwise altering the arrangement of the correlated parts without departing from the spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stern vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem 'to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for The stem 50 extends through a round urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stern to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning.

2. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stern is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem toY engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said body comprising a tubular element and a substantially conical shaped cap engaged upon the top end thereof, and said conical shaped cap being formed with a downwardly extending flange at its large end which is adapted to engage around the top end of said tubular element.

3. In a device of the'class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to out the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mountedon said stem to engage ones hand when the stern is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said body comprising a tubular element and a substantially conical shaped cap engaged upon the top end thereof, and said conical shaped cap being formed with a downwardly extending flange at its large end which is adapted to engage around the top end of said tubular element, said conical shaped cap having a plate attached across its large end.

4. In a device ofthe class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element en-y circling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elementsV on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, Said body comprising a tubularV element and a substantially conical shaped cap engaged upon the top end thereof, and said conical shaped cap being formed with a downwardly extending ange at its large end which is adapted to engage around the top end of said tubular element, said conical shaped cap having a plate attached across its large end said conical shaped cap having its small end cut away and the edges thereof bent inwards forming an opening through which said stem passes, and said plate being formed with a centrally disposed opening immediately below the top opening in said conical shaped cap and through which the bottom end of said stem extends for slidably supporting said stem in said body.

5. In a device of the class. described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem tocut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stein into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stern for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stern from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, the bottom end of said stem being formed with an inwardly extending slot and said chopper blade having its back edge extended into said slot, and a rivet extending through said chopper blade and the bottom end of said stem for pivotally supporting said chopper blade upon the bottom end of said stem so that it will be capable of aligning itselfwith the surface against which it operates.

6. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably sup-V ported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stern for causing said element to turn inthe other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said elemen-t now resists turning, said means for urging the stem into a raised position comprising an expan' sion spring operating between the top end of said body and the bottom face of said friction head.

7. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stern is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said means for urging the stem into a raised position comprising an expansion spring operating between the top end of said body and the bottom face of said friction head, said friction head being formed with a downwardly extending tubular member which is adapted to encircle the topmost coils of said spring.

8. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stern to cut the onion when the stern is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mountedon said stem to engage ones hand when the stern is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said element comprising a sleeve encircling said stern, a spring engaging around said sleeve, and having one of its ends securely attached to a portion of said body so that when said stern is depressed said sleeve will be rotated so as to attempt unwinding said spring to permit said sleeve to rotate therewith, and when said stem moves upwards it will attempt rotating said sleeve to wind said spring up, increasing the friction between the coils of said spring and the adjacent iace of said sleeve preventing said sleeve from rotating and so rotate said stem.

9. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said element comprising a sleeve encircling said stem, a spring engaging around said sleeve and having one of its ends securely attached to a portion oi said body so that when said stem is depressed said sleeve will be rotated so as to attempt unwinding said spring to permit said sleeve to rotate therein, and when said stem moves upwards it will attempt rotating said sleeve to wind said spring up, increasing the friction between the coils of said spring and the adjacent face of said sleeve preventing said sleeve from rotating and so rotate said stem, `said cooperative helical elements comprising nat helical sides formed on said stem and complementary helical depressions formed in the sides of said sleeve and engaging against said ilat helical sides.

l0. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut theonion "when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and. stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stern is released it will turn becausev said element now resists turning, said element for encircling said stem comprising a disc mounted within a cap'securely attached to a portion of said body, portions of said disc being cut away, balls mounted within the cutaway portion of said disc so that when said stem is depressed said disc will rotate therewith and move said balls around within said cap, and when said stern is released and urged upwards said disc will be moved to clamp said balls between portions of said cap and the sides of said cutaway portions for holding said disc against rotating and so rotate said stem.

l1. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically siidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted on the bottom end of said stem to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a friction head mounted on said stem to engage ones hand when the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby `when the stem is released it will turn because said element now resists turning, said element for encircling said stem comprising a disc mounted within a cap securely attached to a portion of said body, portions of said disc being cut away, balls mounted within the cutaway portion of said disc so that when said stem is depressed said disc will rotate therewith and move said balls around within said cap, and when said stem is released and urged upwards said disc will be moved to clamp said balls between portions of said cap and the sides of said cutaway portions for holding said disc against rotating and so rotate said stem, said cooperative helical elements comprising fiat helical sides formed on said stem, said disc being formed with an opening through which said stem passes, and said opening having flat sides engageable against said rst-mentioned flat sides.

12. In a device of the class described, a body for engaging over an onion or other material to be chopped, a stem vertically slidably mounted through said body, a chopper blade mounted en the bottom-end of said stem to cut the onion when the stem is moved downwards, means for urging the stem into a raised position, an element encircling said stem and turnably supported on said body and adapted to resist turning in one direction, cooperative helix elements on said `element and stem for causing said element to turn in the other direction when the stem is moved downwards, a fricton head mounted on said'stem to engage ones hand When the stem is depressed to hold the stem from turning and so cause said element to turn, whereby when the stern is released it Will turn because said element now resists turning, said element comprising a disc freely mounted on said stem and With- 

